A PYMNTS Company

UK: Newest pay-for-delay controversy plagues drugmaker leader

By  |  April 22, 2013

The largest drugmaker within Britain, GlaxoSmithKline, has been hit with the latest in a serious of multinational controversies regarding so-called pay-for-delay deals, used when drugmakers pay the producers of generic drugs to keep their products, often less expensive than brand-names, off the shelves. GSK had reportedly defended its business practices and denied any wrongdoing, but the Office of Fair Trading has accused the company of abusing its market dominance by paying the makers of the generic form of antidepressant Seroxat to delay the sale of their version of the drug. According to the OFT, GSK is accused of colluding with Alpharma, Gerics and Norton Healthcare over the supply of the drug about 10 years ago. The supply agreements were reportedly terminated in 2004. Similar investigations have been initiated within the US and Europe.

Full Content: Euronews

Want more news? Subscribe to CPI’s free daily newsletter for more headlines and updates on antitrust developments around the world.